Colton, Australia & New Zealand Specialist

Growing up in Texas, I always looked toward the rest of the world in wonder. Having what I thought was my dream job in finance meant I had little time to explore this curiosity, so after five years of crunching numbers but dreaming of exotic lands, I left my job and set out to explore the world. Eighteen months and 45 countries later, travel became the only thing I thought about. After making my way through Europe, the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia, I set my eyes on Australia and New Zealand. The opposite side of the world captured my attention like nothing before. The vast and changing landscape, the incredible people, the mystique of being a world away from home… finance could never satisfy this new passion. Fortunately, Audley provided the perfect opening for me as a country specialist for Australia and New Zealand. I’ve been fortunate to revisit these beautiful destinations with Audley and confirm my love for these unique destinations.

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Port Douglas is a paradise for those who love the outdoors. This small port town is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the world's oldest rainforest, is set on an idyllic beach, and offers the opportunity to learn traditional hunting and fishing from the local indigenous people. Wildlife? Venture into the Daintree to witness the jaw-dropping size a salt-water crocodile. Nature? Snorkel around the world's largest living structure. Food? Port Douglas has possibly the best seafood restaurant in the entire country in 2 Fish, though it battles for superiority with other renowned local haunts such as Watergate and Salsa.

I have been fortunate enough to stay in some of the best hotels in Australia but the accommodation that stands out the most for me is a quiet boutique hotel in the Blue Mountains. The Old Leura Dairy is very rustic and even appears a bit underwhelming when you first arrive but the doors open to an incredibly warm and inviting atmosphere. The villa feels like a family home and makes a great escape from city life. Gather your friends and family, sit around a warm fire, grill on the patio and watch the sun set over the Blue Mountains while breathing in the crisp mountain air.

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I'll never forget when…

While visiting Uluru I had the rare opportunity of witnessing storms rolling through the desert while on a sunset tour that was wrapping up at a lookout point. Our group was enjoying champagne as the sun began to set behind the Uluru monolith when lightning began to strike far off in the distance. Rain in the middle of the desert is rare enough but a lightning storm behind one of Australia's most renowned attractions during a vivid sunset is a moment that I will cherish forever.

Photos of Colton

Colton at Cathedral Cove on the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand

Colton at Hahei on the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand

Colton at Shakespeare Cliff Lookout on the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand

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Written by our specialists, our destination brochures are not only designed to showcase the countless beautiful places you can travel to, but also to help narrow down the many choices you're faced with when planning a trip.